Maine lighthouse restoration under way

Staging has been set around the 24-foot-high Owls Head Lighthouse in preparation for the work, which includes structural repairs and other upgrades. Brickwork will be repointed and interior window frames, an iron staircase, deck and ladder leading to the lantern will be refurbished. The projects will cost $248,000.

The nonprofit American Lighthouse Foundation of Rockland has hired J.B. Leslie Inc. of South Berwick, a company that's refurbished other Maine lighthouses, to do the work. Federal funds are being used.

The Coast Guard, which owns Owls Head Lighthouse, is funding a separate project to restore the lantern of the lighthouse.